While flowers wilt and feelings may fade, a well-drafted prenuptial agreement provides lasting financial clarity. Far from being unromantic, prenups represent a mature approach to protecting both partners’ futures.
As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, I’ve seen how these agreements transform financial uncertainty into mutual security. A prenup is simply a contract outlining how assets, debts, and responsibilities will be handled in case of divorce or death — a tool for clarity, not conflict.
“The Talk”: Financial Transparency
A prenup forces the conversation about assets, debts, and yes — even Brenda’s* Louboutin collection. It may feel uncomfortable, but you’ll enter marriage knowing what you’re both bringing to the table — emotionally, spiritually, and credit-score-wise.
The Trend Is Changing
The perception of prenups has shifted dramatically. Prenup adoption has grown from 3% in 2010 to 15% in 2022?, and over 40% of Gen Z and Millennial couples now sign prenups?. More than half of U.S. adults support their use4, and 62% of divorce attorneys report increased requests in the past three years5.
Debt, Business, and Legacy
With the average college graduate carrying nearly $30,000 in student loan debt6 — and total student debt reaching $1.77 trillion nationally7 — prenups are becoming essential. They can protect one spouse from assuming the other’s debt, safeguard businesses, and keep inheritances in the family.
Consider a hypothetical real-world example, Daniel and Rachel: their prenup keeps Daniel’s family winery intact and Rachel receives fair support and assets. Fifteen years later, their divorce was amicable, their dignity preserved, and financial clarity intact.
Planning for Clarity, Not Divorce
A prenup isn’t just about who gets what — it’s about setting expectations: Who pays the bills? What happens if one partner becomes a wildly successful NFT artist? A prenup answers these questions so you can focus on planning a honeymoon, not wondering whether a signed napkin is legally binding.
Clear agreements also minimize conflict, which benefits children during family transitions. Divorce is hard enough — a prenup keeps the focus where it belongs.
A Smart, Grown-Up Choice
Yes, prenups can be uncomfortable to discuss and cost an average of $8,000 to draft?, but they are powerful tools for risk management and future planning. They allow couples to protect individual assets, define roles, and integrate plans with estate strategies.
In short: a prenuptial agreement protects individual achievements while building a shared future. It’s not about expecting the worst — it’s about making sure both partners can move forward with more confidence and clarity.
*Brenda is a fictional character. Not a real client or person.
References
- Law Depot Survey. (2024). Prenup Statistics and Findings 2024 . Retrieved from LawDepot.com
- Harris Poll. (2022). More Couples Are Signing Prenups Before Saying "I Do".
- Axios/Harris Poll. (2023). More millennials are signing prenups as they wedding plan.
- Harris Poll. (2023). America This Week Wave 187.
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. (2016). Prenuptial Agreements On The Rise Finds Survey.
- U.S. News & World Report. (2024). How Much Student Loan Debt Does the Average College Graduate Have?
- Ramsey Solutions. (2025). Average Student Loan Debt: 2025 Statistics.
- Hello Prenup. (2024). Prenup Statistics 2024: Family Law Attorneys Survey.
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